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University Community Prepares for Second Annual Comets Giving Day

On Tuesday, the UT Dallas community will come together for Comets Giving Day, an 18-hour fundraising effort to benefit students and initiatives across campus.

Be a Giving Day Ambassador

During the campaign, digital ambassadors spread the word and encourage giving by:

Posting on social media to promote a larger outreach for the University.

Sharing messages and encouraging alumni and friends to support UT Dallas.

Participating in exclusive Comets Giving Day challenges.

Helping designate additional funds to favorite campus entities.

Visit the Comets Giving Day ambassador page for more information and to sign up.

#COMETogetherUTD

During the inaugural 2017 event, donors contributed $199,143 to support more than 30 areas at UT Dallas.

“Last year, the incredible support of the Comet community exceeded our expectations,” said Dr. Kyle Edgington, vice president for development and alumni relations. “Alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends made contributions of all sizes to programs and initiatives that make a difference to our students, and we hope to generate even more enthusiasm for this year’s efforts.”

Dollars raised will be tracked, leaderboard-style, on the Comets Giving Day website. Matching and challenge opportunities will be announced throughout the day to increase the impact of contributions. Donors will be able to unlock bonus funds by meeting challenges sponsored by various supporters, and some gifts will qualify for additional matching funds.

To encourage others to support UT Dallas, the Honorable Maurine Dickey, vice president of community relations and legislative affairs at Dickey’s Barbecue Restaurants Inc., made a gift that will be used for “power hour” and leaderboard challenges during the event.

“I support UT Dallas because of the University’s innovative character, the creativity it shows in offering many nontraditional degrees and its international and diverse student body,” said Dickey, former Dallas County commissioner and a member of the University’s Development Board.

“To continue on its trajectory to becoming one of the foremost institutions of higher education in the country, UT Dallas needs the support of the broader community. I hope my gift will inspire others to participate on Giving Day,” she said.

Participate in Person or Online

There are several ways to be part of the day in person as well as online. A central giving station will be set up at Trellis Plaza from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. where participants can make gifts, thank donors and contribute to social media efforts.

There will be special photo opportunities and appearances by Temoc and the Power Dancers. Doughnuts will be available at 10 a.m., pizza by the slice at noon and afternoon snacks from 3 to 4 p.m., while supplies last. Look for other pop-up Giving Day stations around campus.

“Like many others, I am proud to be a part of the Comet community,” said Jill Arredondo, senior director of alumni and annual giving programming. “Whether making a gift of $5 or being an ambassador and spreading the word, Giving Day is the perfect opportunity for all of us who love UT Dallas to come together to show our support.”

Comets Giving Day kicks off at 6 a.m. and ends at midnight. Participants can use the hashtag #COMETogetherUTD to join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

“Gifts of all sizes make meaningful impacts on our students and the future success of the University,” Edgington said.

Make a gift to your favorite school or area, sign up to be a digital ambassador or take part in challenges. Learn more at givingday.utdallas.edu.

In this video, part of a series to promote this year's Comets Giving Day, Temoc goes on a mission around campus, getting clues from UT Dallas athletes in the Eugene McDermott Library. If you don't see the video, watch it on YouTube. To see other videos in the series, click here.

UT Dallas does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in its programs and activities. For more information, contact the Director of Institutional Equity or Title IX Coordinator at 972-883-5331, visit their offices at SPN 2.720, or email [email protected] or [email protected].